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Monday, February 6, 2017

Orang Asli blockade bulldozed and set ablaze

An anti-logging blockade set up the Orang Asli community in Gua Musang was again demolished, this time using fire and bulldozers.

Jaringan Kampung Orang Asli Kelantan deputy secretary Jamali Ayau was quoted as saying by The Star Online that four four-wheel-drive vehicles bearing the Forestry Department logo and two bulldozers arrived at the blockade site this morning.

"They did not say much and started using machetes to cut down the blockade.

"They later brought out the bulldozers to push away the blockade.

"They burnt down the blockade and huts we built, including the balai adat (traditional hall)," he was quoted as saying.

The same blockade, at Simpang Petei, was dismantled by the Kelantan Forestry Department on Jan 23 and five Orang Asli activists were arrested.

The local community quickly rebuilt the blockade, prompting authorities to bring bulldozers as well as setting the blockade ablaze this time.

According to the Centre for Orang Asli Concern, the state forestry department also demolished another blockade at Kelawong, Pos Pasik on Sunday.- Mkini